Desert Voice Mag 3

To the Third Army/ARCENT Team,
The first holiday season in our organization’s proud history was spent in Germany in 1918, and it set the tone for
traditions that last into the present. In fall of 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Campaign successes by the AEF under General
Pershing had assisted in forcing a German surrender. The newly formed Third Army—established Nov. 7, 1918, at
Chaumont, France, per American Expeditionary Forces General Order 198—began movement to Germany on Nov.
17. A month later, Third Army established the Koblenz bridgehead in order to ford the Rhine, an action completed on
December 19. While most of the Allied Expeditionary Force was moving to port to redeploy to the United States, Third
Army was doing the difficult work of disarming and disbanding the remaining German forces and establishing itself
as a constabulary force, with the mission of occupying defeated Germany. Numbering over 230,000 with its principal
subordinate units—III, IV, and VII Corps, all of which had seen fighting in the months prior—Third Army Soldiers took
on the difficult task of enforcing the Peace of Versailles; during the holidays of 1918, they had no idea that their mission
would end that summer once Germany finally complied with the tenets of the peace agreement; as far as they knew, they’d
be deployed in Germany for an extended period.
There were many deployed holiday periods to follow for Third Army Soldiers. In 1944, we celebrated in Belgium, with
our advanced elements entering Bastogne on Christmas Day. From 1945 to 1946 we were in Germany again. Desert
Shield/Desert Storm allowed us to celebrate our holidays in the Middle East, for the first time, in 1990. And we’ve
celebrated our holidays here every year since 2002. Each year we have spent in foreign lands, including the present
holiday period, has been because our mission is so critical: whether enforcing the peace in occupied Germany, delivering
the Battle of the Bulge, protecting Saudi Arabia from Iraqi aggression, or supporting a theater at war, we remain forward
deployed over the holiday season to support our Nation’s needs so that future generations have the opportunity to
celebrate this special season in peace.
As we celebrate according to our various faiths this holiday season, and as we welcome the New Year, I hope you will
join me in reflecting on the proud traditions of this command, on the sacrifices we have and will continue to make to
defend our freedoms, and on those who have come before us who likewise chose to put their nation before themselves.
This year we will continue to take our readiness to new levels, and we should all feel proud that we are continuing to
improve this organization while we are performing our absolutely critical Mission. Granite Shield is a new ARCENT
program which we began last month. In the coming year, this program will ensure a holistic approach to readiness – the
individual readiness of our Soldiers, the drills required for emergency response here in Kuwait, and the readiness of our
Team to execute the various contingencies for which we have responsibility
from CENTCOM.
This year will see a much diminished presence in Iraq, and in fact
may mark the end of operations there; the Iraqis will become our
partners for regional stability, and you all have made this possible.
This year is also predicted to mark the beginning of a drawdown
in Afghanistan, and while we will continue to conduct operations
there, you should feel proud of your role in setting the theater as
we have.
2010 has been a year of remarkable accomplishments for
Third Army, and each day I am proud to observe that we have
lived up to the reputation that was begun in the midst of the
holidays of 1918.
Patton’s Own!
The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Desert Voice are
not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or Department of the Army. The editorial content of
this publication is the responsibility of the U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Office. This magazine is published by Al-Qabandi
United, a private firm, which is not affiliated with USARCENT. All copy will be edited. The Desert Voice is produced twice a
month by the 27th Public Affairs Detachment. Find us online at www.arcent.army.mil.
Col. Gerald O’Hara
Third Army Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Gen. William G. Webster
Third Army Commanding General
Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Fourhman
Third Army Command Sgt. Maj.
Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Fletcher
Third Army Public Affairs Sgt. Maj.
Sgt. M. Benjamin Gable
Desert Voice Editor
Sgt. Ryan Hohman
Staff Writer
Spc. Eric Guzman
Layout and Design
Pfc. Dan Rangel
Staff Writer
Lt. Col. Wayne Marotto
Third Army Deputy PAO (FWD)
Sgt. 1st Class Jon Wiley
Third Army PAO NCOIC
Capt. Russell E. Varnado
27th PAD Commander
Staff Sgt. Mark Matthews
27th PAD NCOIC
CONTENTSHope and Freedom
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and other
performers join Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth
O. Preston as he visits Camp Arifjan for his
final Hope and Freedom tour.
Strategic Relocation
Pg. 6
Third Army’s strategic relocation personnel brief
Soldiers about new tools to make the transition
to Shaw Air Force Base easier for Families.
Gassing up pg. 5
Petroleum professionals fuel up the Third Army machine throughout several countries keeping
Servicemembers Ready to Fight Tonight.
>>
Pg. 8
ADA stays readypg.12
Air Defense Artillery Soldiers hold a missle defense exercise in Southwest Asia Dec. 9.
November marks the one-millionth R&R passenger to pass through Kuwait’s Life Support Area.
Getting homepg.13
Command Corner
3Ready Tonight....Sustain the Fight....Shape the Future2 Ready Tonight....Sustain the Fight....Shape the Future

Since 2001, petroleum professionals, both military and
civilian, have been meeting the unending demands for
fuel in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and
New Dawn. While fuel management does not garner much
attention or time in the spotlight, it is an essential mission
that keeps things moving.
The 21st century military fuel pipeline works something
like this: U.S. Government agencies purchase fuel from
refineries in countries within or near the Central Command
area of operations. International civilian contractors deliver
the fuel in large tanker trucks to distribution points. Some
of the most remote forward operating bases get their fuel
supplied via airdrops.
Multiple agencies collaborate to meet the military’s
fuel needs. The agencies and personnel include Central
Command, Third Army, the Army Petroleum Center,
Defense Logistics Agency-Europe, Army Materiel
Command and petroleum officers. “These different
organizations collectively ensure the fuel purchase [and]
delivery process is as accurate and current as possible,”
said Lt. Col. Ronald Childress, chief of Supply and Service,
Petroleum and Water Section, 1st Theater Sustainment
Command.
Five Soldiers with the 1st TSC’s petroleum crew fit into
the middle of the big picture by tracking how much fuel is
used each day at bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. The data on
fuel usage, combined with future operations information,
create the basis for how other agencies order fuel,
explained Staff Sgt. Nicholas Braddock, noncommissioned
officer in charge, Bulk Petroleum, 1st TSC.
“We take all the forward operating bases that are in,
let’s say Afghanistan or Iraq, and we put them in a big
spreadsheet and we average out how much fuel they use
… and kind of project how much fuel they’re going to use
in the future. We use historical data from years past and
current data. So, sometimes you’re using 100,000 gallons
of fuel a day per FOB; sometimes it’s more. Each FOB is
different, so you have to know what’s going on with the
mission because the mission dictates how much fuel we’re
going to use,” he said.
The facts and figures keep the mission focused, said
Childress. “Our [1st TSC’s] relationships probably serve
as the most important element in the middle management
process.”
There are millions of gallons of fuel on the road each
day. In fact, at any given time, more than 80 percent of
all the contracted trucks driving in the CENTCOM area
are moving fuel, according to Braddock. Overall, in 2010,
petroleum specialists have tracked and distributed more
than one billion gallons of the essential energy source.
Because fuel is a basic necessity, there is little room for
error in the petroleum mission, said Braddock. “Everything
runs off of fuel. Everything else runs off of water. So, if we
don’t do our job correctly, then we can’t fight. That’s the
only way I can look at it.”
Working in middle management sheds new light on how
the military manages sustainment operations, Braddock
said. “This is the first time I’ve worked in this high of a
level. You can see how the big Army works. When you’re
in a line unit, all you want [to know] is ‘when is the fuel
getting here?’ … And here, you see how the overall thing
works. It’s pretty unique when you see DLA talking to
Third Army and Third Army talking to the Joint Petroleum
Officers and the fuel guys on the ground.”
Petroleum managers have a tangible, straightforward
way to know if they are fulfilling their mission, according
to Braddock. “The way I look at it is when the Warfighter
gets to the fuel pump and fuel’s coming out, that’s success.
That’s as successful as we can be.”
An Airman looks on as bundles of JP8 fuel fall to the ground during a fuel airdrop above Afghanistan, Aug. 14. In 2010, petroleum personnel ordered,
tracked, and delivered more than 1 billion gallons of fuel to Warfighters on the ground. While most fuel is delivered via tanker trucks, some of the most
remote forward operating bases get their fuel supplied via airdrops.
1st TSC’s five-Soldier petroleum
team supports military’s fuel
missionStory by Natalie Cole
1st Theater Sustainment Command
Photo by Sgt. David Reardon, 1st Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs
Two international contractors inspect a sample of JP8 at the Truck Fill Stand near Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Each day, fuel trucks distribute millions of gallons
of fuel to Warfighters in the Central Command area of operations. Because of the large volume of fuel and the never ending demand, there are many
agencies and people – civilian and military – working in support of petroleum operations. A small group of Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment
Command tracks and projects fuel usage so other agencies can order the correct amount of fuel.
Photo by Sgt. David Reardon, 1st Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

Soldiers attended a
briefing held by Third
Army strategic relocation
representatives Dec. 13
to ask questions and learn
about all of the moving
options available to them
during their transition from
Ft. McPherson, Ga. to Shaw
Air Force Base, S.C.
At Camp Arifjan,
Kuwait’s Zone 1 Chapel,
Master Sgt. Barry
Leveretter, a Longs, S.C.
native and an operations
noncommissioned officer
with Third Army’s office of
strategic relocation, along
with Sgt. 1st Class Vincent
Poole, a Washington,
D.C. native and the
in charge of the office
of strategic relocation,
explained the Defense
Personal Property System’s
role in the move to Shaw
AFB as well as resolving
issues and questions held by
those in attendance.
“We’re here to inform
the Troops about where
they’re moving to and
what they have waiting for
them in the area. One of
the tougher things about
these briefs is not having
all of the answers to the
questions on the spot, but
it’s a small obstacle,” said
Poole. “What we usually do
is write down the questions
as people ask them, then we
post them to [our] blog site
after we get the questions
out to the people who can
answer them properly. That
way, the Soldiers who didn’t
get their questions answered
can check the blog site
and get their answers,” he
added.
During the brief,
Leveretter and Poole
applauded the benefits of
using the DPPS and praised
the convenience it provides
for Soldiers who are facing
the move to Shaw AFB
while stationed at Camp
Arifjan.
“DPPS is much better
because it’s hands on.
It’s user friendly, and it’s
interactive. You, the Soldier,
are able to take care of
yourself by keying the
information you want into
the system --- things like
the pickup dates that you
want and the delivery dates
that you want. No one is
going to take care of you
better than you will,” said
Leveretter.
The flexible nature and
simplicity of DPPS make it
a valuable asset for Soldiers
and their Families during
the relocation process.
“I believe that it’s a
good tool for Soldiers and
Families to use to prepare
them for the move to Shaw
Air Force Base,” said Staff
Sgt. Joshua Johnson, an
Atlanta, Ga. native and
early warning operator for
Third Army.
Use of the new systems
Third Army has put in place
makes Soldiers’ transition to
Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, an Atlanta, Ga. native and early warning
operator for Third Army, registers for the new Defense Personal Property
System at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Dec. 13, after being briefed about Third
Army’s strategic relocation from Ft. McPherson, Ga. to Shaw Air Force
Base, S.C. The briefing was held to maintain Soldier readiness and to give
Third Army Troops and Families a jumpstart on the movement process.
Third Army Soldiers register for the new Defense Personal Property System at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in preparation for Third Army’s strategic relocation
from Ft. McPherson, Ga. to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. next year. Third Army’s strategic relocation office held a briefing at Camp Arifjan Dec. 13, explaining
the movement process and answering questions Soldiers had about the transition from Ft. McPherson to Shaw AFB.
BRAC briefing keeps Soldiers ReadyStory and Photos by
Spc. Eric Guzman
Third Army Public Affairs
Shaw AFB smoother, taking
considerable stress off of
both the individual Soldier
and their Families.
“To get the move
accomplished, the Soldiers
and their Families need
to know what they want
to do as far as where their
Families are going. They
just need to go and find a
place and then get the ball
rolling. Coming to a brief
like this will help Soldiers
accomplish that mission,”
said Leveretter.
Every Soldier affected by
the Base Realignment and
Closure-sparked move from
Ft. McPherson to Shaw
AFB receives a briefing
upon request and learns
how to utilize DPPS (which
can be found at http://www.
move.mil,) after registering
for the site during the
briefing.
For Soldiers who find
questions unanswered
during the briefing, they
can consult the Third Army
“Movement to Shaw” page,
found at http://www.arcent.
army.mil/move-to-shaw/
updates-and-information.
aspx.
The page is updated
regularly with information
that may prove helpful for
Soldiers who are left with
questions about the strategic
relocation after they receive
the briefing.
Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Poole, a Washington, D.C. native and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the office
of strategic relocation, explained the Defense Personal Property System’s role in the move to Shaw Air Force
Base, S.C. from Ft. McPherson, Ga., as well as resolving issues and questions held by those in attendance of
a movement brief held by Third Army at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Dec. 13. The briefing was held to maintain Soldier
Readiness and to give Third Army Troops and Families a jumpstart on the movement process.

Sergeant Major of the Army
hosts his final
Hope and Freedom Tour Members of the U.S. Army Band, “Downrange”, entertain Soldiers at the Zone 6 Stage by singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” during a United Service
Organizations show presented by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston. “Downrange,” along with several other entertainers, were invited to tour with
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston in partnership with the USO as they visited deployed Servicemembers throughout the Central Command’s area
of responsibility this holiday season.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, Third Army Public Affairs
Lt. Gen. William G. Webster (right), Third Army Commanding General, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston (left), and Santa Claus (middle) speak
with Soldiers during the Sergeant Major of the Army Hope and Freedom Tour at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 17. Lt. Gen. Webster thanked the Soldiers
for their hard work throughout the holiday season as they continue to maintain their Readiness to face any challenge that may arise within Third Army’s
20-country area of responsibility.
Photo by Sgt. Ryan Hohman, Third Army Public Affairs

With the holiday
season just around the
corner, many deployed
Servicemembers in Kuwait
begin to feel the strain
of being away from their
Families and friends.
To give the
Servicemembers a night
to relax and know that
Americans back home
appreciate the sacrifices
they are making, Sgt. Maj.
of the Army Kenneth O.
Preston sponsored his
seventh and final United
Service Organizations’
Hope and Freedom Tour at
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Dec.
17.
“There have been ten
Christmases Soldiers have
been away from their
Families and loved ones
back home,” said Sgt.
Maj. of the Army Preston.
“I think for many of our
Soldiers out there right
now it is important to know
that people back home
keep them in their prayers
and really care about the
mission they perform every
day.”
The show, hosted by
ESPN correspondent
Leeann Tweeden, featured
the U.S. Army Band
“Downrange,” musicians
Keni Thomas, Alan Grace,
Buddy Jewell and Emily
West, Dallas Cowboys
cheerleaders Nicole
Hamilton and Brandi
Redmond, and comedian
Chonda Pierce.
“I thought the show
was awesome. They had a
really good mix of music
and entertainers,” said
Staff Sgt. William Smith, a
liaison officer with the 3rd
Armored Calvary Regiment
and an Anaheim, Calif.
native. “Being away from
family and friends can be
hard, but events like this
help us stay focused on the
mission at hand.”
For many of the
performers, this trip meant
just as much to them as it
did to the troops.
“Coming out here is the
least we could do,” said
first-time USO performer
James Jones, an Austin,
Texas based guitarist for
Keni Thomas. “You guys
get up every morning and
save people’s lives. We
wake up and go to the
studio; it’s a way for us to
give back.”
With this tour being Sgt.
Maj. of the Army Preston’s
last before he retires, he
was able to look back and
remember all the times
he has been able to come
through and tour Kuwait
and see the hard work
Third Army is doing.
“Every time I have
come through Kuwait,
the focus of the Third
Army command and its
Soldiers at being Ready to
Fight Tonight and support
any mission is second to
none,” said Sgt. Maj. of the
Army Preston. “They do a
magnificent job of making
us and all the missions up
north a success.”
As the concert drew to
a close, Servicemembers
returned to their rooms
knowing no matter how
far they are from home,
the hearts of the American
people will always be there
to support them as they
defend their freedom.
Story by Sgt. Ryan Hohman
Third Army Public Affairs
Alana Grace, a singer, performs for Soldiers during a United Service
Organizations show at the Zone 6 stage at Camp Arifjan Dec. 17. Grace,
along with several other entertainers, was invited to tour with Sgt. Maj. of
the Army Kenneth O. Preston in partnership with the USO as they visited
with deployed servicemembers throughout the area this holiday season.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, Third Army Public Affairs Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, Third Army Public Affairs
Buddy Jewel, a country music artist, performs for deployed Servicemembers
as part of Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston’s United Service
Organizations tour in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 17.
Staff Sgt. Chad B. Leader, a Chesapeake, Va. native and lead guitarist for the Army Band “Downrange,” plays America the Beautiful during the Sergeant
Major of the Army Hope and Freedom Tour at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 17.
Country singer Emily West, a Waterloo, Iowa native, sings to the troops at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait during the Sergeant Major of the Army Hope and Freedom
Tour at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 17. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston and several entertainers are touring various countries in partnership with
the USO, visiting deployed Servicemembers throughout the Central Command’s area of responsibility this holiday season.

Maj. Gen. Peter M. Vangjel, Deputy Commanding
General of Third Army, visited Soldiers with 3rd Battalion,
43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment during an air and
missile defense exercise in Southwest Asia Dec. 9.
Maj. Gen. Vangjel spoke with the Soldiers of
Batteries C and D regarding the training incorporated in
the exercise and in the Soldiers’ everyday activities. The
training reinforces Third Army’s commitment to provide
a warfighting, expeditionary focused, multi-functional
headquarters capable of deploying to conduct combat
operations in its area of operations.
“We need to make sure that basic Soldier standards, for
leaders and Soldiers, are in place,” said Maj. Gen. Vangjel.
This training is in conjunction with Third Army’s
readiness review titled Granite Shield, which pulls
together under one name all of the tasks Soldiers and
commanders are doing to be prepared for potential threats
and incorporates a series of training events Soldiers need to
execute to ensure their readiness in a combat environment.
Soldiers with 3-43 ADA and the 3rd Battalion, 2nd
Air Defense Artillery Regiment have been working to
ensure Soldiers have ample training to enhance Soldier
skills while deployed.
“Battery D is proactive in their training strategies,
and the Soldiers spend a lot of time training to ensure they
are confident and prepared to handle any situation,” said
Capt. Carl B. Scruggs, commander, Battery D.
The Soldiers assigned to 69th Air Defense Artillery
Brigade conducted an air and missile defense exercise
throughout the second week of December. During this
exercise, Soldiers executed their duties during a simulated
air attack on the region. These duties encompassed
everything from making sure the equipment is properly
working and maintained, to tracking incoming air threats,
to simulating the launch of a missile to intersect the
incoming threat.
Time is of the essence to Soldiers in air defense.
They need to be able to perform their operations quickly,
thoroughly and correctly to keep their fellow Soldiers,
joint-service partners and host nations safe.
With the battlefield boundaries becoming less defined
each day, it is imperative that Soldiers are up to speed
in every aspect of being a Soldier, from first-aid to time
management.
“It is important to continue to improve through
training in order to be able to complete your job efficiently
and correctly,” said Maj. Gen. Vangjel.
The Soldiers of the batteries are confident in their
abilities to be able to execute their missions successfully.
In addition to the air and missile defense exercise,
the Soldiers of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery,
69th ADA, participate in weekly warrior task and battle
drills training.
Over the previous weeks, Soldiers in the HHB have
conducted hands-on combatives training, first-aid training
and training on evacuating casualties from an area. The unit
plans this training once a week and it will continue to focus
on Soldier readiness, such as how to react to contact and
how to react to a chemical attack, among others.
“We have the best crew to get the job done,” said
Sgt. Justin Yepez, a noncommissioned officer in Battery
D, 3-43. “I’d invite everyone to Battery D. They’ll be safe
here.”
ADA Soldiers
hone in on
trainingStory and Photos by
Spc. Maria Asenbrener
69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Public Affairs, Third Army
Maj. Gen. Peter M. Vangjel, the Deputy Commanding General for Third
Army, talks with Sgt. Justin Yepez, a noncommissioned officer in Battery D,
3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, at the battery’s Patriot
missile site in Southwest Asia Dec. 9.
Maj. Gen. Peter M. Vangjel, the Deputy Commanding General for Third
Army is briefed by Cpt. Carl B. Scruggs, the commander of Battery D, 3rd
Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, before taking a tour of the
Patriot missile site in Southwest Asia Dec. 9.
After clearing customs, Soldiers walk into the Freedom Yard at the Army Life Support Area in Kuwait, Dec. 12, to await their flights home for Rest
and Recuperation travel. The Freedom Yard is home to what Servicemembers refer to as the world’s smallest Pizza Hut. More than one million
servicemembers have passed through the LSA as part of the Army’s R and R program.
R&R program
reaches one
million milestone
It’s official: As of November, more than one million
travelers have passed through the Army Life Support Area
in Kuwait, marking a major milestone in the military’s Rest
and Recuperation travel program.
The R and R travel program was designed to ensure
deployed Servicemembers and civilians have coordinated
travel for the two weeks of leave they are allowed to take
at the mid-point of their year-long deployments. For the
past seven years, personnel under Third Army have been
managing the customs points, passenger terminals, and
flight operations at the LSA in support of the R and R
program.
With its temporary lodging, morale services, chaplain
support, liaison teams, and famed fast food restaurants, the
LSA is a bustling desert travel hub that operates 24 hours a
day. Tech. Sgt. Barbara Whitaker, noncommissioned officer
in charge for Task Force Gateway, Exceptional Personnel
Services, said the amenities in the area are intended for
travelers who have been serving under high operations
tempos in forward deployed areas.
“We strive to make their transition easy from when they
departed their area of operation by providing excellent
customer service for their time spent here on the LSA until
they depart … to meet with their families,” she said.
Approximately 300 to 590 people move through the
area each day, according to Sgt. 1st Class TaRita Taylor,
noncommissioned officer in charge of outbound operations
for the 52nd Theater Gateway. She said success for the R
and R program is defined as getting waves of travelers out
of the area within 24 hours.
The million-traveler mark is another indicator of how
the R and R program is working, said Taylor. “For us, it’s
letting us know that were doing a pretty great job. Soldiers
are arriving here safely and they get to go home safely…
and then they return back to duty safely to go back and
continue on with their mission.”
In addition to fulfilling her formal responsibilities at the
LSA, Taylor said she and her coworkers often don Santa
hats and play music to bring cheer to weary travelers during
the holiday season. “We try to keep them motivated,
excited,” she said.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kendall Thorne is the leading
petty officer of the Freedom Area, the final LSA passenger
terminal where travelers wait before getting on a bus to the
airport. Thorne and other customs personnel have supported
a portion of the million travelers by providing water,
snacks, and current updates on flights. He explained that
working in the Freedom Area, home to the world’s smallest
Pizza Hut (unofficially), is his chance to help others who
are getting a break from being down range. “I enjoy what I
do,” he said.
Because of the constant flow of travelers, Whitaker
said her sights are already on future milestones. “We have
helped [one million] Servicemembers and Department of
Defense civilians travel home safely to spend time with
their families and loved ones, and we look forward to
servicing the next million.”
In January, the U.S. Army will hold ceremonies
in Kuwait and at the airports in Atlanta and Dallas to
commemorate the million-traveler milestone.
Story and Photo by
Natalie Cole

Florida’s largest National
Guard Unit is coming
home after a year-long
deployment to Kuwait.
Soldiers with the 53rd
Infantry Brigade Combat
Team, known as the Gator
Brigade, marked the
official end of their tour
in a transfer of authority
ceremony, Dec. 15, at Camp
Arifjan, Kuwait.
During their deployment,
the 53rd IBCT ensured
the safe flow of personnel
and equipment throughout
Kuwait and Iraq.
Additionally, the Gator
Brigade managed operations
at five camps spread
throughout the country.
Soldiers in different
battalions performed a
variety of duties such
as escorting logistics
convoys, securing deep-
water sea ports, training
with the Kuwaiti Army
and screening personnel at
check-points.
“These were not easy
tasks or missions. It took
dedicated professionals,
thousands of hours of
planning, preparation
and supervision to make
it all work,” said Maj.
Gen. Kenneth S. Dowd,
Commanding General,
1st Theater Sustainment
Command.
In his address at the
ceremony, Col. Richard J.
Gallant, commander of the
53rd IBCT, encouraged
Soldiers to take pride in
the historic nature of their
deployment. “During this
largest deployment of
Florida National Guard
Soldiers since World War
II, you have set a standard
of excellence for all to
emulate,” he said.
“I am extremely proud of
what we have accomplished
here, and you need to be
proud also,” he continued.
Gallant also commended
Soldiers for going beyond
the requirements of their
missions. “Each and every
day, each and every one of
you would ask ‘what can I
do to improve?’ Whether it
was a facility improvement,
or a process improvement,
or a Soldier care or
customer service issue,
we maintained a positive,
can-do spirit that is the hall-
mark of the Florida National
Guard.”
Soldiers with the New
Hampshire National Guard
197th Fires Brigade have
assumed responsibility for
the missions in Kuwait in
support of Operation New
Dawn. Commanded by Col.
Peter L. Corey, the 197th
Fires Brigade is made up
of more than 2,000 citizen
Soldiers from five different
states.
As part of the transition
process, the 53rd IBCT has
spent weeks training side-
by-side with the 197th Fires
Bde. to prepare the “Live
Free or Die” brigade to take
on the missions in Kuwait.
“Your ability to sustain
your missions while
transitioning forces is
the sign of a mature,
experienced Army,” said
Maj. Gen. Dowd. “A
successful transfer of
authority is dependent upon
the skills and professional
motivation of those
involved. This transfer of
authority has gone like
clockwork.”
In his parting words to
the Gator Brigade, Maj.
Gen. Dowd said, “We wish
you a safe journey and a
speedy integration back to
your civilian lives and loved
ones.”
Col. Flem Walker, brigade
commander with the 1st Sustainment
Brigade, called the grand opening of
the central issue facility, CIF, a long
time coming during the ribbon cutting
ceremony Dec. 17.
“The bottom line is we received
the mission in June, opened the doors
December 1st and in the 15 days the
CIF has been open, we’ve serviced
952 Soldiers,” remarked Walker.
Walker thanked the many Soldiers,
Department of Defense civilians and
contractors for their quick reaction
after the mission was received.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Dowd,
Commanding General ,1st Theater
Sustainment Command, Walker and
other distinguished guests cut the
official ribbon. After the ceremony,
distinguished guests and other
attendees toured the facility, admiring
the organized clothing racks and
spacious environment.
The facility already contains 922
out of the required 1049 items on
line and the missing items have been
ordered and are enroute, explained
Walker.
Acquiring a CIF in Kuwait has
been a hot issue for years, beginning
back in 2007. “The 469th Combat
Sustainment Support Battalion
accepted the challenge,” remarked
Walker with pride “and they have
made the CIF footprint here at Camp
Buehring a reality.”
In the opening remarks, Walker
explained that the Buehring CIF
mission is to provide support to all
Central Command elements, minus
Afghanistan. The facility will
exchange or replace uniforms through
the wear or tear policy as well as
exchange uniforms that are incorrect
sizes.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher
Tajchman, the support operations
noncommissioned officer in charge
with the 469th CSSB expressed his
full support of the CIF addition to
Camp Buehring. “It’s what this
theater needs to carry on operations
in both Kuwait and Iraq. I think the
CIF facility is a great investment
because we’re providing what every
Soldier needs in order to perform
their mission.”
One of the many hopeful outcomes
of the facility is that Soldiers will
now collect their mission essential
equipment upon arrival in Kuwait, as
opposed to being issued the gear back
in the states. Essentially, this will
prevent both Soldiers and units from
transporting the gear from the states
to Kuwait.
During the close of the ceremony,
Walker again thanked the ambitious
469th Soldiers for their selfless
service and motivation.
Kuwait Receives First Ever CIF
Story and Photos by
Sgt. Debra Richardson
Third Army
Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Dowd (center), Commanding General of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, with Col. Flem Walker (right), brigade commander,
1st Sustainment Brigade, along with other distinguished guests, participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the first ever central issue facility in Kuwait
during the ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait Dec. 17.
Gator Brigade leaves, New
Hampshire Fires Brigade takes overStory by Natalie Cole
Photo by Sgt. Brian Gordon
Col. Richard Gallant, and Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Corrow, both leaders with Florida National Guard 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, furl the
53rd’s unit colors during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 15. Soldiers with the New Hampshire National Guard 197th Fires
Brigade have now assumed responsibility for convoy security and camp operations in Kuwait.

Emergency NumbersEmergency Numbers
911 Emergency DSN – 911/112
From cell phone 2389-9911
Camp Arifjan
DSN 430-3160 / PMO 430-1343
Arifjan Cell 6682-2120
Camp Buehring
DSN 438-3224 / PMO 438- 3325
Buehring Cell 9720-5396
Camp Virginia Emergency DSN 832-9111
Camp Virginia DSN 832-2559
Virginia Cell 6705-9470
LSA DSN 442-0189
LSA Cell 6682-2467
K-Crossing DSN 823-1327
K-Crossing Cell 682-0095
KCIA/APOD Cell 6706-0165
SPOD DSN 825-1314
SPOD Cell 9720-5982
KNB DSN 839-1334
Several Soldiers sat on
couches in a dimly lit tent,
speaking softly to each
other, awaiting their turn.
Sgt. Jonathan Windsor
emerged from a separate
room with a book in one
hand, a camera in the other
and a smile on his face. He
just finished reading Dr.
Seuss’ “Green Eggs and
Ham” to his son.
Windsor, a native
of Columbia, Mo., and
company intelligence
support team
in charge for Headquarters
and Headquarters Company,
1st Battalion, 21st Infantry
Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd
Advise and Assist Brigade,
25th Infantry Division, just
finished participating in the
“Bonding Through Books”
program offered at Forward
Operating Base Warhorse,
Diyala province, Iraq.
Sgt. Jeremy Graham,
an Asheboro, N.C., native,
and a fire support sergeant
with HHC, 1-21 Inf. Regt.,
has been the key to the
program’s success since he
opened it to Gimlet Soldiers
in October.
Graham explained the
significance of the program
as it pertains to Soldiers and
their children back home.
“Soldiers are away from
their Families; they’re not
able to actually connect
with them, and the children
back home can’t really see
their Dads except for maybe
a couple photos over the
internet,” Graham said. “So
we’re giving Soldiers the
opportunity to read to their
children, and then we send
the book and the DVD we
record back home to their
children.”
Graham said he drew
inspiration from a similar
program offered by
the Uniformed Service
Organizations.
“The USO actually has a
program like this in Kuwait
called ‘United Through
Reading,’ but we don’t have
a USO here that does it.
So we figured we’d do it
ourselves,” he said.
The Gimlets’ reading
program arrived in time
for Soldiers to send home
videos to their children for
the holidays, and Graham
said he plans on keeping the
program running throughout
the deployment.
He added that many
Soldiers have been
appreciative of the program
for allowing them to keep
their children familiar with
their faces and voices.
Capt. Christopher Welsh,
who hails from Plant City,
Fla., and is the battalion
intelligence officer for 1-21
Inf. Regt., said he read a
book for his daughter, who
was born just two months
ago.
Windsor said he and
his son have dealt with
separation during a previous
deployment, but this
program has given him
another way to maintain a
connection with his son.
“Well, this is not the
first deployment my son
and I have had to endure,”
Windsor said. “At two years
and three months old, he’s
doing pretty well with sight
recognition, but I wanted to
make sure he gets my voice
down, too.”
Graham said he acts as
the program coordinator,
setting aside time each
month to bring all the
supplies to the battalion
conference room, a quiet
place where the Gimlet
Soldiers can read the books
in peace.
The NCO who created
the program for his Soldiers
said he found the books in a
closet, and the camera is on
loan from another NCO in
the battalion.
The “Bonding Through
Books” program helps
Graham maintain a
connection with his own
daughter, he said, noticing
a contrast in her behavior
towards him during a
previous deployment
and the time he spent at
home during his recent
Environmental Morale
Leave this deployment.
“When I came home on
a previous deployment,
my daughter was shy; she
wouldn’t come up to me
– she really didn’t know
who Daddy was,” he said.
“When I went home on
EML this deployment, she
ran up to me and hugged my
legs. I’ve never had her do
that before, and I think it’s
mostly because of this.”
“I think there’s more of a
connection there that would
not be there if I wasn’t
able to do this, and I want
to share that with other
people,” he added.
Capt. Christopher Welsh, intelligence officer, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade,
25th Infantry Division, reads a book on camera, Nov. 28, at the 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt. Battalion conference room
at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Diyala province, Iraq.
Bonding Through BooksStory and Photo by Spc. Michael England
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Current recommendations call for adults to consume
6-8 ounces of grains each day, with at least half (3-4
ounces) being whole grains. One ounce of grain product
is equal to one slice of bread, one cup of ready-to-eat
cereal, or one-half cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal.
Grain products, however, can be either whole or refined.
Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel (bran, germ,
and endosperm), while refined grains have been milled to
remove the bran and germ. This milling process results in
a loss of dietary fiber, iron, and many B vitamins, which
are otherwise present in the whole grain. Although many
refined grain products are “enriched” to add back iron and
some B vitamins, they are still sadly lacking in dietary
fiber.
Consumption of 25-35 grams of fiber each day is
recommended to maintain regular stools and reduce risk
of developing colon cancer. White bread and white rice
contribute very little fiber to one’s diet. However, both
whole grain bread and brown rice add substantial dietary
fiber and help to support colon health. Whole grains
also tend to satisfy appetite, and prevent rapid return of
hunger, better than refined grain products.
Identifying genuine whole grains is not always
easy, and verbiage on the front of food packages does
not always tell the real story. One must examine the
ingredients (usually in small print on the back), which
are listed in decreasing order of prevalence. The key to
identifying a true whole grain bread is finding “whole
____ flour” listed first, with the blank being your grain
of choice (e.g., wheat, oat, rye). Also, whole grain bread
should have at least 2 grams of fiber per serving (indicated
on the nutrition facts label), and many varieties will have
3-5 grams. Other high fiber whole grain foods include
whole cornmeal, oatmeal, bulgur, and popcorn.
Story by
Capt. Steven Jackson, PhD, RD
Third Army Dietitian
Whole vs. Refined Grains
Customers should be aware of a scam in which recipients receive an e-mail that claims to come from Defense
Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The email states that the customers password has been established or
changed with an attachment that contains malicious software (malware) that infects the intended victim’s computers.
To avoid malware do not click on any links, or open any attachments. Be vigilant.
To all who wonder when W-2’s will be issued for Tax Year 2010, the following information was taken from My Pay
for your convenience.
2010 Tax Statement Availability in My Pay:
RETIREE 1099R December 14, 2010
Annuitant 1099R December 15, 2010
Reserve Army, Air Force, Navy W-2 January 4, 2011
Civilian Employee W-2 January 6, 2011
Army Non-Appropriated Fund W-2 January 11, 2011
Army Student Loan Repayment Program January 11, 2011
Savings Deposit Program 1099INT January 21, 2011
ACTIVE DUTY - ARMY, AIR FORCE, NAVY W-2 January 24, 2010
Travel/Miscellaneous W-2 January 31, 2011
DFAS sends notifications when a password has been established or changed in MyPay from SmartDocs@DFAS.mil.
E-mails from SmartDocs@.mil do not contain attachments of any kind. Ensure when you receive an email from DFAS
the email is being sent to an email address you have registered with DFAS.
Beware of e-mail scams:
Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine is briefed
on General Order One Bravo before leaving the States
and when arriving in the Central Command’s area of
responsibility. That doesn’t mean that everyone follows
this order or that our loved ones back home are aware of
what it encompasses.
The Joint Military Mail Terminal at Camp Arifjan is
charged with enforcing General Order One Bravo for all
mail that comes into theater and the Area Support Group-
Kuwait Provost Marshal is passing this information to the
Servicemember’s chain of command.
The process is one that begins when packages arrive
at the JMMT. At the JMMT, packages are sent through
two large x-ray machines. Screeners use these machines
to check for contraband, such as alcohol, weapons and
any other banned items. When the screeners come across
a suspicious item, the Camp Arifjan Military Police
Investigators are called in to help.
The screeners at JMMT upload x-rays pictures of
suspicious items contraband and then pass these on to
the investigators. MPI looks at the digital images and
determines whether or not they believe the package
contains contraband. If the MPI believes there is
contraband in the package, they issue a warrant to open
the package and then forward this information to the local
magistrate.
The magistrate looks at the photos and either approves
or disapproves the warrant. If the warrant is approved,
an MPI is called to the mail terminal for a physical search
of the suspicious package. If the warrant is disapproved,
investigation is closed and the package is sent on to
the addressee. However, if the magistrate approves the
warrant, the MPI is called to JMMT for a search of the
suspicious package.
Before an MPI opens the package, a photo of the
package is taken. Once the package is opened another
picture is taken to verify what the contents looked like
when it was opened. Packages found not to have any
contraband are forwarded on to the addresses. When
an MPI finds a package that does have contraband, the
contraband is seized and the proper paperwork is completed
to let the addressee know that an item or items were
removed from their package. Further, a list is generated
with the addressee’s name that will be sent out to their unit
commander. It is up to the unit commander to determine if
the contraband was shipped unknowingly or if the illegal
items were requested by the Servicemember.
The item is then disposed of, destroyed, and placed in a
secure storage facility. Alcohol is poured out at the Camp
Arifjan Provost Marshal Office, pornography is destroyed,
and weapons are usually destroyed depending on the
weapon.
Since the beginning of 2010 (1) Flammable Item, (2)
Beer-Wine Making Devices, (38) Ammunition Magazines,
(41) Pornographic/Adult Novelty Items, (54) Pieces
of Ammunition, (186) Weapons and Guns and (2,188)
Containers of Alcohol totaling 1,324 Liters have been
seized from the mail. The Provost Marshal’s Office spends
approximately 15,000 man hours annually and is asking for
your help to reduce this contraband.
The PMO recognizes that Servicemembers can’t always
control what loved ones send. Education is key to let love
ones know that these items are illegal in theater and that the
Servicemember themselves may be questioned why they
are receiving illegal items.
Unwelcome care-packagesStory and Photos by
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason McDuffie
Provost Marshal Office
Items shipped into theater undergo various scans to detect illegal contraband being shipped to Troops in a deployed environment. Military Police
Investigators confiscate and dispose of contents found to be illegal before they reach the hands of Servicemembers.

Desert Voice Mag 3

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Desert Voice Mag 3

Similar to Desert Voice Mag 3 (6)

Desert Voice Mag 3